DRUG PEDDLING LEADS TO MAJOR HEALTH CRISIS IN PUJEHUN

Hassan Juana Koroma

Drug peddling has escalated to alarming levels in Pujehun District, with reports indicating a significant rise in the sale of counterfeit and expired medications. This troubling trend has been exacerbated by the absence of the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone's oversight in the district, allowing peddlers to exploit vulnerable rural communities. During recent trade fairs, which occur weekly across various locations in the district, these illegal vendors have been administering expired medications and counterfeit drugs, sometimes even admitting patients for treatment. Investigations reveal that many of these peddlers are retired health workers seeking to continue their practice without adhering to proper medical protocols. Others are untrained individuals with little to no education in healthcare, posing a serious risk to public health. One patient from Malen Chiefdom, Jebbeh Samai, shared her experience of being admitted by a retired health worker who operates as a "peddler.

" She expressed frustration, stating that while the medications sometimes provide temporary relief, they often fail to address their underlying health issues. "We have no choice but to take the drugs given to us," Samai lamented. When questioned about the effectiveness of the treatments, the peddler claimed that the poor storage conditions of the medications were to blame for their ineffectiveness, attempting to justify his operations as a community service.

Chairman Foday Kandeh Rogers of the Pujehun District Council has voiced deep concerns over the increasing presence of drug peddlers in the district.

He emphasized that many residents are turning to these illegal vendors instead of seeking proper medical care from hospitals or Primary Health Units (PHUs). The Chairman highlighted the critical need for the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone to intensify efforts against drug peddling, particularly during the busy trade fair days—Mondays in Bandajuma Sowa, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Gbondapi, Thursdays in Pujehun Town, and Fridays in Fonima.

Chairman Rogers described the current situation as "frustrating" and reiterated his commitment to safeguarding public health.

He urged the community and regulatory bodies to collaborate in combating the sale of counterfeit drugs, which not only endanger lives but also threaten to tarnish the district's reputation with rising mortality rates. As the community grapples with this health crisis, the call for immediate action against drug peddling has never been more urgent. The Pujehun District Council in collaboration with the district health management team are determined to restore trust in healthcare services and protect the well-being of its residents from the dangers posed by illicit drug sales.